Apparatus for aligning and connecting flowlines

ABSTRACT

One of more flowlines are to be connected to one or more companion flowline loops extending from a Christmas tree disposed at the upper end of a well bore extending into the formation from the floor of an ocean, or other body of water, at which a flowline guide structure has been installed. Prior to effecting the connection, the end portions of the flowlines are attached to a flange or hub releasably secured to a carrier at a flowline or pipe line barge, the carrier and flowlines being pulled toward the well by being fed from the barge to maintain the flowlines in tension. The pulling apparatus includes a single cable or pulling line connected to an orienting member of the carrier and passing through a guidance apparatus releasably mounted on the flowline guide structure. The orienting member moves into the guide structure. The orienting member moves into the guidance apparatus to properly orient the coupling hub at the ends of the flowlines for attachment to an alignment device on the flowline guide structure which aligns the hub with a companion hub secured to the ends of the flowline loops, after which the coupling between the hubs is effected. The carrier is released from the flange and the guidance apparatus from the guide structure to permit their removal to the surface of the body of water after alignment has been effected.

Unite States Patent Nelson [4 1 Feb. 13, 1973 APPARATUS FOR ALIGNING ANDmore companion flowline loops extending from a CONNECTING FLOWLINESChristmas tree disposed at the upper end of a well [75] Inventor: BobbyN e150, Houston, bore extending into the formation from the floor of anocean, or other body of water, at which a flowline [73] Assignee: VetcoOffshore Industries guide structure has been installed. Prior toeffecting ventura Calif the connection, the end portions of theflowlines are [22] Filed: Jan. 12, 1971 attached to a flange or hubreleasably secured to a carrier at a flowline or pipe line barge, thecarrier and [21] Appl' 105927 flowlines being pulled toward the well bybeing fed from the barge to maintain the flowlines in tension.

[52] [1.8. Cl ..l66/.6, 285/29 The pulling apparatus includes a singlecable or [5 Int. Cl. line connected to an orienting member of the [58]Field of Search ..l60/.5, .6; 285/29 Carrier and passing through aguidance apparatus releasably mounted on the flowline guide structure.

[56] References C'ted The orienting member moves into the guidestructure.

UNITED STATES PATENTS The orienting member moves into the guidanceapparatus to properly orient the coupling hub at the ends 3,358,753l2/l967 Haeber 166/.6 of the flowlines for attachment to an alignmentdevice 3,260,270 7/1966 Watkins et aln... 166/.5 X

3,298,092 1/1967 Dozier et al. ..l66/.6 the Structure whch algns3,308.38 3/1967 Chm:t alum "AM/6 with a companion hub secured to theends ot the 3,378,066 5/1968 Otteman..... ....l66/.5 flowline loops,after which the coupling between the 3,60 3 9/ t rs ..l66/.6 hubs iseffected. The carrier is released from the Primary ExaminerMarvin A.Champion Assistant ExaminerRichard E. Favreau AttorneyBernard KriegelABSTRACT One of more flowlines are to be connected to one or fitilcgfuaet? i 9 b s g Q flange and the guidance apparatus from the guidestructure to permit their removal to the surface of the body of waterafter alignment has been effected.

19 Claims, 16 Drawing Figures PATENTEDFEB13 I975 3.716; 100 SHEET 02 or10 Beam H AQ-zsa/v PATENTEDFEB 1 3 I973 SHEET 05 0F PAIENTEDFEBI3 ms3.716100 SHEET 07 0F 10 [/v VENTOE Base /H. lVEZ-SO/V PATENTED FEB 13 msSHEET 08 0F fir roe/wed.

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PATENTEDFEB13 1915 3,716,100

SHEET 09 [1F 10 INVE/VTCLQ. BaaaVH. A/ELJGA/ 27 107' roewss PATENTEDFEB13 ms SHEET 10 0F [Nu-W70 Bases H. A/EL50 v 4T raeA/ss 1 APPARATUS FORALIGNING AND CONNECTING FLOWLINES The present invention relates tounderwater pipe connection apparatus, and more particularly to apparatusused in effecting a connection between the flowlines of an underwaterChristmas Tree connected to a well head and flowlines extendinglaterally through the water from the well and Christmas tree.

Prior systems for completing and producing underwater wells haverequired the use of a comparatively expensive guide structure mounted atthe underwater floor, and from which guidelines extend upwardly to afloating drilling vessel, such guide structure not only serving duringthe drilling of the well, but including auxiliary equipment usedsubsequently for guiding the Christmas tree into appropriate positionfor connection to the well head, and also a means for pulling in andconnecting flowlines to the flowline loops extending from the Christmastree. At the time of lowering and anchoring the guide structure inplace,

\ the proper direction for pulling in the flowlines have to be known sothatthe Christmas tree and flowline loops could be oriented in theproper direction. Since only a small percentage' of exploratory wellbores drilled become commercial producers, an expensive guide structurewas previously provided for routine drilling of the well, despite thefact that the additional facilities provided on such guide structureswere not used in the event that a well bore was deemed to benon-commercial.

In applicants copending application for Underwater Pipe Connection-Apparatus, flied Jan. 12, 197i, Ser. No. 105,928, an apparatus isdisclosed that permits a standard and less expensive guide structure tobe used in connection with the .drilling of an underwater well. Afterthe well has been drilled and the formations encountered havebeentested, which determine the well'to be a commercial producer, adetermination can be made of the type of completion,

required, including a determination of the most advantageous layout offlowlines to be connected to the Christmas tree, and the direction inwhich the flowlines should be run from the well.

After making the determination of the direction from the well theflowlines should extend, a flowline guide structure is lowered downselected guide lines and onto selected guide posts of a standard guidestructure, this flowlineguide structure including a flowline alignmentassembly. The Christmas tree with the flowline loops secured thereto isthen oriented and lowered down the guide lines and onto the guide postof the'standard guide structure and into coupled relation with the wellhead, at which time the end portions of the flowlines loops will beappropriately related to the flowline hub alignment assembly.Thereafter, since it is desirable to maintain tension on the flowlinesto prevent their failure in bending, they are pulled toward the hubalignment assembly and their end portions secured thereto in alignmentwith the Christmas tree hub, such parts then being coupled together inleakproof relation. Such coupling can be effected through the assistanceof a diver or it might be effected without diver assistance, the latterusually being accomplished where the water depth is greater than diverdepth.

As disclosed in the above application, a carrier is releasably securedto a flange or hub supporting the end portions of the flowlines, a pairof pulling lines being secured to a pair of parallel probes forming partof the carrier to pull the flowlines under tension toward the flowlinehub alignment assembly, and to insert the probes into a pair oforienting funnels at the flowline guide structure, which align theflowline hub with the alignment assembly and position it for connectionthereto. However, problems have arisen in keeping equal tension on thepulling lines, producing cocking of the flowline hub, with attendantdifficulty in bringing it into coupling relation to the alignmentassembly. Moreover, disconnection of the carrier from the flowlineflange or hub could only be accomplished by diver, limiting the waterdepth in which the apparatus could be used.

By virtue of apparatus embodying the present invention, the cocking andother problems associated with the 'use of two pulling lines areeliminated. A single pulling line, single probe and single associatedorienting funnel are used, the probe and funnel having coactive partsthat automatically orient the flowline hub with respect to the hubalignment assembly, insuring its coupling thereto. Since only a singlepulling line is used, the factor of unequal tension in a plurality ofpulling lines is eliminated, as well as the necessity for causing aplurality of probes to enter simultaneously into a plurality of funnelsand be shifted therein to a definite final position for securingalignment of the flowline hub with the alignment assembly, andconsequent alignment of the flowlines with the. flowline loops of theChristmas tree. The apparatus is far simplier than the multiplearrangement, easier to operate and less costly.

Release of the carrier from the flowline hub assembly can be effectedfrom a remote point, as well as release of the guide assembly, whichincludes the orienting funnel, from the flowline guide structure. Ifdesired, the releases can be effected simultaneously through use of acommon instrumentality.

This invention possesses many other advantages, and has other purposeswhich may be made more clearly apparent from a consideration of a formin which it may be embodied. This form is shown in the drawingsaccompanying and forming part of the present specification. It will nowbe described in detail, for the purpose of illustrating the generalprinciples of the invention; but it is to be understood that suchdetailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense.

Referring to the drawings:

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a standard guide structure at the floorof an ocean, or other body of water, from which a well bore has beendrilled, with a flowline guide structure attached thereto, and aChristmas tree related to the standard guide structure and suitablyconnected to the well, and with its flowline hub in alignment with thecorresponding alignment means on the flowline guide structure;

FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1 illustrating a guide funnel assemblymounted on the guide structure and releasably secured to the alignmentassembly and in condition for pulling in flowlines towards the alignmentportion of the device;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged section taken along the line 3 3 on P10. 2; i

disposed fully within the guide funnel assembly, and

with the flowline hub in its position latched to the alignment device;

FIG. 7 isan enlarged cross-section taken along the line 7-7 on FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a side view, with parts broken away, through the flowline,disclosing the funnel assembly releasably latched to the flowline guidestructure, and with the flowline hub latched to the alignment device;

FIG. 9 is a top view taken along the line 9-9 on FIG.

FIG. 10 is a view corresponding to FIG. 8, on an enlarged scale, of aportion of the apparatus disclosed in FIG. 8;

FIG. 11 is a section taken along the line 11-11 on FIG. 10, disclosingthe flowline flange pivotally connected to the flowline carrier;

FIG. 12 is a view similar to FIG. 11, illustrating the carrierdisconnected from the flowline flange;

FIG. 13 is a section taken along the line 13-13 on FIG. 10;

FIG. 14 is an isometric view of the apparatus disclosing the Christmastree hub coupled in sealed relation to the flowline hub;

FIG. 15 is a side elevational view of a power mechanism for shifting theChristmas tree hub toward the flowline hub; and

FIG. 16 is an enlarged fragmentary section taken along the line 16-16 onFIG. 14.

In the drilling of a well bore W from the floor F of an ocean or otherbody of water, a known and standard guide structure lois secured at thefloor of the ocean at the time of spudding the well, this guidestructure being suitably secured to the ocean floor, and having acentral hub 11 to which diagonal beams 12 are secured, side beams 13being disposed between and suitably at- -tached to the outer portions ofthe diagonal beams. A

guide post 14a, 14b, 140 or 14d extends vertically upwardly from eachdiagonal beam, guide lines 15a, 15b, 15c, 15d being secured to the guideposts and extending upwardly to the drilling platform'or drilling vessel(not shown) from which the well bore is drilled. In connection withdrilling the well bore, a wellhead housing 16 is disposed within thecentral hub 11 and is suitably secured thereto, this wellhead housingbeing all that is allowed to remain above the hub 11 after the well borehas been drilled and preparatory to the running of a Christmas tree 17into position, followed by the connection of its flowline loops 18 tothe flowlines 19 that will extend laterally from the Christmas tree andthe wellhead housing, as described hereinbelow.

After a determination has been made of the direction the flowlines areto extend from the well, a flowline guide structure 20 is lowered down aselected pair of guide lines or cables 15a, 15b and onto their companionguide posts 14a, 14b. This flowline guide structure includes verticalsleeves 22 spaced horizontally from one another a distance correspondingto the spacing between the pair of guide posts 14a, 14b, these sleeveshaving lower guide cones 23 secured thereto for the guide posts and ontothe main cylindrical portions of the guide posts therebelow. The sleevesand cones are welded, or otherwise suitably secured, to an inter-,

vening cross structure 25 and lower diver platform 26, the structure 25including upwardly extending arm portions 27 spaced from one another,the inner portions of the arms being suitably secured to flowline hubalignment members 28 spaced from each other in oppositely facingrelation. Each flowline member 28 has its marginal portions bevelled inan outward direction, so as to provide tapering or inclined guidesurfaces 29 for other devices described hereinbelow. Each member alsohas a flaring mouth 30 diverging toward the well and merging toward athrust portion 31 for centering a Christmas tree hub 32 with respect tothe hub alignment member 28, as described hereinbelow. The members 28have inner oppositely facing horizontal and vertical lock grooves 33,34, there being upper outwardly I directed horizontal flanges 35 at theupper end of each member, each flange having a vertical slot 36therethrough diverging in a lateral outward direction. The flowline hubalignment members 28 are spaced a predetermined distance apart and arelocated on the cross member 25 of the guide structure closer to one ofthe vertical guide sleeves 22 than the other of the vertical guidesleeves, so that the mid-point between the plate members 28 will beappropriately positioned with respect to the flowline loop hub 32extending from the Christmas tree.

The flowline guide structure 20 is lowered down the selected guidecables 15a, 15b and over a corresponding pair of guide posts 14a, 14buntil the lower ends of the guide cones 23 and cross member 25, whichmay be located in the same horizontal plane, come to rest upon a guidebeam 13. A suitable cable (not shown), releasably secured to the guidestructure, may be used for lowering it to the position described, afterwhich the cable is released and withdrawn. Upon engaging the standardguide structure 10, the flowline guide structure 20 is locked to thelatter by means of latches 38 pivotally mounted on the flowline guidestructure, each latch having a tapered guide nose 39 which terminates atits upper portion in a latch dog 40, the tapered guide surface engagingthe upper flange 41 of the guide beam 13, which deflects it outwardlyuntil the latch dog 40 passes below the upper flange, whereupon gravityor a spring 42 biases the latch inwardly to position the dog under theflange, thereby preventing upward movement of the flowline guidestructure relative to the standard guide structure 10.

Prior to lowering of the flowline guide structure 20 down a pair ofguide lines and along the guide posts, a determination has been made ofthe direction that the flowlines 19 are to extend with respect to thewellhead housing 16 and the Christmas tree 17 to be connected thereto.Any two adjacent guide lines and guide posts connected thereto can beselected along which the flowline guide structure is to be lowered,depending upon the direction in which the flowlines 19 are to extendrelative to the well. Thus, as specifically disclosed, any one of fourdifferent directions can be selected.

After the flowline guide structure has been lowered and locked in place,the Christmas tree 17 is lowered down all of the guide lines 15a-15d,having been properly oriented so that its flowline loops 18 will beplaced in alignment with the hub alignment assembly 28 after theChristmas tree has been landed and locked in place. As specificallydisclosed, the Christmas tree has a suitable guide frame 43 securedthereto, which, as specifically disclosed, consists of radial arms 44attached to a central member 45, the outer ends of the arms beingattached to guide funnels 46 corresponding in number and relativespacing to the number and spacing of the guide posts 14a-14d. TheChristmas tree has one or a plurality of flow line loops 18 attachedthereto that pass through a housing 47 and terminate in the hub 32spaced laterally from the central member 45 of the Christmas treeassembly, the housing being slidable longitudinally in an encompassingguide 48 suitably affixed to the frame 43 of the Christmas tree. TheChristmas tree 17 is lowered on a suitable running string'(not shown),with the end portions of the flowline loops 18 and the tree hub 32oriented in the same direction as the flowline hub alignment assembly28, lowering of the tree continuing until the guide funnels 46 pass overthe guide post l4a-l4d and with the central connector member 45, of aknown type, at the lower end of the Christmas tree assembly beingappropriately latched to the wellhead housing 16 in leakproof relation.When this occurs, the tree hub 32 is aligned with the flowline hubalignment assembly 28, the hub being spaced horizontally from suchassembly.

After the Christmas tree 17 has been landed and latched in place, theflowlines 19 are to be lowered through the water and connected to theflowline loops 18 of the Christmas tree assembly. As specificallydisclosed, an apparatus is provided for feeding the flowlines 19 from apipe laying barge (not shown) floating in the body of water and pullingthe flowlines inwardly toward the flowline hub alignment assembly 28.Prior to lowering the flowlines from the pipe laying barge, a guidefunnel assembly 50, is provided, which includes a pair of guide funnels51 held in spaced relation a distance equal to the spacing between apair of guide posts 14a, 14b by a cross structure 52 suitably affixedthereto, this cross structure carrying a single guide funnel 53 inclinedin an upward and outward direction and located along the cross structurein a position corresponding .to the horizontal position of the elementmembers 28. The cross structure carries a pair of depending keys 54adapted to be received in the key slots 36 in the side members 28, therebeing a latch 55 pivotally mounted on each key and having a lower lockdog 56 adapted to fit under a ,sidemember flange 'to releasably securethe guide funnel assembly in a downward position. A helical compressionspring 57 urges each lock dog in an inward direction; whereas, a releasecable 58 interconnects the upper portions of the latches above theirpivot points 59, which is pulled upwardly to pivot the upperportions ofthelatches inwardly toward each other and the dogportions 56 indirections outwardly from each other and against the compression oftheir associated springs 57 to release the latch dogs 56 from theflanges 35 of the alignment assembly when the guide funnel assembly 50isto be released from the flowline guide structure 20, as describedhereinbelow.

The ends of the flowlines 19 pass through and are suitably connected toa flowline support and connector hub 60 having a pair of spaced upperears or brackets 61 provided with aligned holes 62. A flowline carrier63 is releasably and pivotally connected to the upstand ing ears 61 ofthe hub, the carrier including a suitable frame having spaced forwardarm portions 64 adapted to straddle the ears 61, each arm portioncarrying a guide 65 in which a pin 66 is reciprocable, the pin beingurged inwardly and into an ear hold 62 by a helical compression spring67 confined within the guide and bearing against the pin 66, the pinhaving a flange 68 engaging a companion shoulder 69 on the guide tolimit the extent of movement of the pin into the hole 62 in the ear. Thepins 66 are movable outwardly from the holes 62 by a common cable 70,the ends of which are suitably secured to the pins, the cable passingaround a pair of pulleys 71 for each pin suitably rotatably mounted onthe carrier 63 outwardly of the pin, the cable extending from one pin 66around a pair of pulleys, around the other pair of pulleys and then tothe opposite pin 66. The taking of an upward pull on an intermediateportion of the cable will retract the pins 66 from the ear holes 62against the forces exerted by the springs 67 to disconnect the carrier63 from the flowline hub 60, as described hereinbelow.

- A lever 72 is pivotally mounted on the guide funnel assembly 50, itsfree end extending under the pivot pin release cable 70, the lever beingsecured to one end of a short operating cable 73 that extends upwardlyaround a sheave 74 rotatably mounted on a supporting bracket 75 securedto the lower end of a running and release cable 76, the operating cablepassing downwardly and being connected at its other end to the releasecable 58 which is connected to the upper portions of the latches 55securing the guide funnel assembly 50 to the flowline alignmentstructure 20. Thus, an upward pull taken on the running and releasecable 76 will effect release of the latches 55 from the flanges 35 ofthe alignment assembly 28 and will also swing the operating lever 72upwardly to retract the pins 66 from the ears of the flowline hub 60,thereby releasing the carrier 63therefrom. Initially, the running andrelease cable'76 is held in a lower position to prevent its upwardmovement in effecting release of latches 55 and retraction of the pins66 by a shear pin 78 secured to a guide hub 79 through which the releasecable passes, the shear pin also being connected to the release cable 76itself. When the parts are all latched and secured in place, an upwardpull taken on the release cable 76 of a sufficient force will shear thepin 78, whereupon the release cable can move upwardly for the purpose ofreleasing the latches 55 and retracting the pins 66. The release cablehas a portion 760 which can extend upwardly through the water to thedrilling vessel for operation from that location.

If desired, a hydraulic release mechanism can be employed. As disclosed(FIGS. 6, 11), a cylinder 80 is mounted on the guide funnel assembly 50,this cylinder containing a helical compression spring 81 bearing againsta piston 82 inthe cylinder and urging the piston and a piston rod 83connected thereto toward the rod end of the cylinder. The piston rodexternally of the cylinder is connected to a yoke or bracket 84rotatably carrying a sheave 85 around which an actuating cable 86.extends, one end of the actuating cable being secured to the releaselever 72 and the other end being looped around and secured to therelease cable 58 connected to the upper ends of the lock-down latches55, The introduction of fluid under pressure into the rod end of thecylinder 80 will cause the piston 82 and rod 83 to move toward the headend of the cylinder, pulling on the actuating cable 86 and effectingrelease of the latches 55 from the flanges 35 of the flowline alignmentstructure and the pins 66 from the ears 61 of the flowline hub 60. Theguide funnel assembly 50 and the flowline carrier 63 can then beelevated along the guide posts 14a, 14b and guide lines a, 15b to thedrilling vessel by means of the running and release cable 76, 76aextending to the drilling vessel. It is apparent that the latches '55and pins 66 can be released hydraulically or by the exertion of a pullon the running and release cable 76, 76a.

The flowline hub 60 is appropriately aligned with the flowline alignmentstructure 28 by a centrally located probe 90 extending forwardly fromthe upper portion of the flowline carrier 63 and constituting a portionthereof. This probe is adapted to enter the flowline funnel 53 and fitsnugly within its main cylindrical body drilling vessel.

portion 53a. The forward part of the probe has opposed axial camsurfaces 91 thereon extending rearwardly from a common forward apex 92and curved around the probe toward each other where they merge into theopposed sidewalls of a longitudinal probe groove 93. A pair of centeringelements 94 are provided on the reduced diameter portion of the probeforwardly of the cam surfaces 91 for engagement with the cylindricalwall of the funnel body portion so as to insure'centering of the probetherein. The funnel has an alignment pin or bearing 95 extendingradially therein, this pin or bearing being adapted to engage one or theother of the cam surfaces 91 as the probe 90 is moved into the funnel 53for the purpose of rotating the probe if required and insuring theguidance of the longitudinal groove 93 along and over the alignmentbearing or pin 95. At this time, the opposed faces 96 of the flowlinehub 60 will be parallel to the faces of the side members 28 of thealignment structure. The flowline hub 60 will also be disposedtherewithin so that appropriate pivoting of the flowline hub about thecommon axis of the retractable pins 62 will bring horizontal andvertical spring pressed keys 97, 98 mounted in the sides of the flowlinehub 60 in alignment with the horizontal and vertical grooves 33, 34 ofthe side members 28 of the flowline alignment structure, the keys beingforced partially outwardly into such horizontal and vertical grooves byhelical compression springs 99 mounted around cap screws 100 secured tothe flowline flange or hub and which extendfreely throughthe keys, theouter heads 101 of the screws limiting the extent of outward movement ofthe keys. When the horizontal and vertical keys 97, 98 snap into thecompanion horizontal and vertical grooves 33, 34 in the flowlinealignment structure, the flowline hub '60 is locked in place,'bothhorizontally and vertically,

and in substantially complete alignment with the hub the Christmas Thepulling line 105 is threaded through the funnel 53, passing around thesheaves 106, 107 and through the funnel 108, continuing on to thesurface of the water and to the drilling vessel prior to the lowering ofthe flowlines 19 into the water from the pipe laying barge. The guidefunnel assembly 50 is then lowered, as by means ofthe cables 76a, 76,the shear pin 78 being intact so that the latches 55 can operate toperform their locking and coupling functions without interference fromthe lowering cable. The guide funnel assembly. 50 is lowered along theguide lines 15a, 15b, passing over the guide posts 14a, 14b until thekeys 54 enter the grooves 36 in the flanges 35, the noses of the latches55 first being cammed outwardly by the flanges 35 and the springs 57then shifting the dogs 56 of the latches under the flanges to releasablysecure the guide funnel assembly 50 to the flowline guide structure 20.

The pulling cable 105 is then pulled upwardly while the flowlines 19 arebeing played out from the pipe laying barge, the flowlines beingretained in tension as the barge moves through the water in a directionaway from the well. The pulling action continues until the alignmentprobe 90 enters the funnel 53, continued inward pulling causing one ofthe cams 91 to engage the alignment pin 95, which turns the probe 90 andthe remainder of the carrier 63, as well as the flowline flange or hub60 into a position in which the hub is centered or aligned withrespect'to the flowline aligning structure 28, full alignment beingsecured when the longitudinal slot portion 93 of the probe passes alongthe stationary alignment pin 95, continued inward movement of the probeand carrier then positioning the flowline hub between the opposed sides28 of the flowline alignment structure, the alignment probe coming torest when fully received within the guide funnel or horn 53. Continuedlowering of the flowlines 19 as the pipe laying barge moves away fromthe well bore causes the flowlines to move downwardly toward the oceanfloor, pivoting the flowline hub 60 about the retractable pivot pins 66until the horizontal and vertical locking keys 97, 98 on the flowlinehub are aligned with the horizontal and vertical grooves 33, 34 in theside members of the alignment structure, the springs 99 snapping thekeys into the grooves, at which time the flowline hub 60 is inappropriate alignment with the tree hub 32, the latter being spaced ashort distance from the flowline hub. At this time, the release cable 70is located over the free end of the release lever 72.

The operator now takes an upward pull on the cable 76a, 76 to shear thepin 78 and exert a pull on the latch releasing cable 58 interconnectingthe upper ends of the latches 55 to release the latter from the flange35.

This upward movement also effects an upward pull on the flowline releaselever 72 which is now disposed under the cable interconnecting theretractable pins 66, to pull the interconnecting cable 70 upwardly andretract the pins 66 from the aligned holes 62 in the ears 61 of theflowline hub 60. If the hydraulic release 9 mechanism 80-86 is present,in lieu of mechanically releasing the latches 55 and pins 66, fluidunder pressure is introduced into the hydraulic cylinder 80 to shift thepiston 82 and its rod 83 toward the head end of the cylinder, exertingan upward pull on the release lever 72 to remove the pins 66 from theflowline ear holes 62 and to expand the dogs 56 outwardly from under theflanges 35, thereby effecting release of the carrier 63 from theflowline hub 60 and of the guide funnel assembly 50 from the flowlinealignment structure 20, whereupon an upward pull can be taken on thecable 76a, 76 to elevate the guide funnel assembly 50 and the carrier 63through the water and to the drilling barge, the flowline hub 60 beinglocked in a fixed position within the flowline alignment structure andin substantially full alignment with the hub 32 secured to the flowlineloops 18.

The Christmas tree hub 32 and flowlinehub 60 are now connected togetherto place the lines 18 of the Christmas tree in leakproof communicationwith their companion flowlines 19. Such connection can take place bydirectly connecting the hubs to one another, or for an interveningmechanism which forms the subject matter of the patent application ofBobby H. Nelson and Benton F. Baugh for Apparatus for Aligning securedto one end and the rod has a yoke 124 secured to its end at the oppositeportion of the power structure. One yoke 124 is placed over a pin 125secured to the tree housing and another yoke 123 is placed over a pin126 secured to the guide 48. The introduction of fluid under pressureinto the head end of the cylinder 120 causes the yokes 123, 124 to bemoved apart, which shifts the tree hub 32 toward the flowline hub 60, aspermitted by the flexibility of the flowline loops l8 and the ability ofthe housing 47 to slide longitudinally in the guide 48. As the tree hubapproaches the flowline hub, the tree hub engages the tapered forwardend portions 29 of the side members of the alignment structure whichwill bring the tree hub into vertical alignment with the flowline hub,the continued movement of the tree hub between the side members 28 ofthe alignment structure causing pins 127 extending outwardly from bothsides of the tree hub to enter the flaring mouths 30 of the side members28 and be shifted vertically upwardly or downwardly, as the case may be,until the pins 127 enter the horizontal throats 31 of the side members28, at which time the tree hub 32 will be horizontally aligned with theflowline hub 60, movement of the tree hub continuing until it engagesthe flowline hub.

The flowline loops l8 communicate with and are aligned with passages 128in the tree hub 32, the flowline 19 also being aligned with companionpassages 129 in the flowline hub 60. The flowline hub carries aplurality of seal rings 130, one seal ring surrounding each passage. Thetree hub has companion end grooves 131 adapted to receive such sealrings. When the tree hub 32 has been brought into engagement with theflowline hub 60, the seal rings 130 are received within the companionseal grooves 131 in the three hub. The diver now threads screws 132passing through holes 133 in the tree hub 32 into threaded holes 134 inthe flowline hub 60 and tightens them so as to firmly secure the treehub to the flowline hub, and with the seal rings 130 forced within theseal grooves 131 and in sealed relation therewith, as well as with theflowline hub 60.

The power cylinder mechanism 120-124 is removed after the threading ofthe screws 132 into the flowline hub 60 and their tightening.

It is apparent that an apparatus has been provided in which a standardguide structure can be employed in drilling the hole. After the well hasproved to be commerical, the flowline guide structure 20 is loweredalong an appropriate pair of guide lines to place the flowline hubalignment assembly 28 in the proper direction for the subsequentconnection of the flowline 19 to the flowline loops 18 extending fromthe Christmas tree. The flowline hub 60 is appropriately related to thehub alignment assembly and is locked thereto in alignment with the treehub 32, after which the tree hub and flowline hub are functionallycoupled to one another in leakproof relation. The mechanism 50 forguiding the flowlines l9 and the flowline hub 60 is releasably latchedto the flowline guide structure 20 and can be released and removed forsubsequent use in another well. Moreover, the mechanism 50 for carryingthe flowlines 19 toward the hub alignment assembly 20 can be releasedtherefrom and removed for subsequent use on another well. Suchmechanisms are readily released and removed either mechanically orhydraulically, the releasing action being under remote control, ifdesired. Undesirable cocking of the flowline hub 60 cannot occur sinceonly a single pull-in line 105 is employed, the probe entering thesingle funnel 53 and being appropriately oriented to insure accuratealignment and connection of the flowline hub 60 with the alignmentassembly 28. Not only is assurance had that proper orienting andcoupling of the flowline hub 60 to the alignment assembly 20 isachieved, but the mechanism is much simplier than heretoforeproposed.

lclaim:

1. An apparatus wherein a guidance system is disposed at and extendsupwardly from the floor of a body of water and through which a well borehas been drilled into the underlying formation, the combinationtherewith of flowline alignment means mounted on said guidance system,fluid flow apparatus including one or more first flowlines and guidedalong said system into communication with the well bore with endportions of said one or more first flowlines facing said alignmentmeans, a guide assembly adjacent to and to one side of said alignmentmeans, a carrier, one or more second flowlines carried by said carrierand adapted to be lowered therewith through the body of water, connectormeans secured to said one or more second flowlines,means interconnectingsaid guide assembly and carrier for pulling said carrier, connectormeans and one or more second flowlines toward said guide assembly andalignment means, said guide assembly ineluding a first single orientingmember, saidcarrier including a second single orienting member engagedwith said first orienting member to align and engage a connector meanswith said alignment means to position said connector means insubstantial alignment with said end portions of said one or more firstflowlines, and means for operatively connecting said one or more firstflowlines and one or more second flowlines to each other, whereby fluidcan fiow therebetween.

2. An apparatus as defined in claim 1; said first single orientingmember comprising a tubular member, said second single orienting membercomprising a probe movable into said tubular member, said tubular memberand probe having coengageable orienting means thereon for turning saidprobe in said tubular member as said probe moves longitudinally in saidtubular member to correspondingly turn said carrier and said connectormeans into alignment with said alignment means, said pulling meansincluding a cable connected to said probe and passing through saidtubular member.

3. An apparatus as defined in claim 1; means releasably securing saidcarrier to said one or more second flowlines, and means operable from alocation remote from said carrier for releasing said carrier from saidone or more second flowlines.

4. An apparatus as defined in claim 1; means releasably securing saidguide assembly to said flowline alignment means, means releasablysecuring said carrier to said one or more second flowlines, and meansoperable from a location remote from said carrier for releasing saidcarrier from said one or more second flowlines and said guide assemblyfrom said flowline alignment means.

5. An apparatus as defined in claim 1; means releasably securing saidcarrier to said connector means, and means operable from a locationremote from said carrier for releasing said carrier from said connectormeans.

6. An apparatus wherein a guidance system is disposed at and extendsupwardly from the floor of a body of water and through which a well borehas been drilled into the underlying formation, the combinationtherewith of flowline alignment means mounted on said guidance system,fluid flow apparatus including one or more first flowlines and guidedalong said system into communication with the well bore with endportions of said one or more firstflowlines facing said alignment means,a guide assembly adjacent to said alignment means, a carrier, one ormore second flowlines carried by said carrier and adapted to be loweredtherewith through the body of water, connector means secured to said oneor more second flowlines, means interconnecting said guide assembly andcarrier for pulling said carrier, connector means and one or more secondflowlines toward said guide assembly and alignment means, said guideassembly including a first single orienting member, said carrierincluding a second single orienting member engaged with said firstorienting member to align and engage a connector means with saidalignment means to position said connector means in substantialalignment with said end portions of said one or more first flowlines,and means for operatively connecting said one or more first flowlinesand one or more second flowlines to each other, whereby fluid can flowtherebetween; said alignment means having vertical and horizontalcoupling grooves therein, said connector means having vertical andhorizontal keys yieldably mounted thereon and expandable into saidvertical and horizontal grooves, respectively, to secure said connectormeans to said alignment means in substantial alignment with said endportions of said one or more first flowlines.

7. An apparatus wherein a guidance system is disposed at and extendsupwardly from the floor of a body of water and through which a well borehas been drilled into the underlying formation, the combinationtherewith of flowline alignment means mounted on said guidance system,fluid flow apparatus including one or more first flowlines and guidedalong said system into communication with the well bore with endportions of said one or more first flowlines facing said alignmentmeans, a guide assembly adjacent to said alignment means, a carrier, oneor more second flowlines carried by said carrier and adapted to belowered therewith through the body of water, connector means secured tosaid one or more second flowlines, means interconnecting said guideassembly and carrier for pulling said carrier, connector means and: oneor more second flowlines toward said guide assembly and alignment means,said guide assembly including a first single orienting member, saidcarrier including a second single orienting member engaged with saidfirst orienting member to align and engage a connector means with saidalignment means to position said connector means in substantialalignment with said end portions of said one or more first flowlines,and means for operatively connecting said one or more first flowlinesand one or more second flowlines to each other, whereby fluid can flowtherebetween; said first single orienting member comprising a tubularmember having an orienting cam element extending therein, said secondsingle orienting member comprising a probe having an axial cam engagingsaid cam element as said probe moves longitudinally in said tubularmember to correspondingly turn said carrier and said connector meansinto alignment with said alignment means, said pulling means includ inga cable connected to said probe and passing through said tubular member.

8. An apparatus wherein a guidance system is disposed at and extendsupwardly from the floor of a body of water and thorough which a wellbore has been drilled into the underlying formation, the combinationtherewith of flowline alignment means mounted on said guidance system,fluid flow apparatus including one or more first flowlines and guidedalong said system into communication with the well bore with endportions of said one or more first flowlines facing said alignmentmeans, a guide assembly adjacent to said alignment means, a carrier, oneor more second flowlines carried by said carrier and adapted to belowered therewith through the body of water, connector means secured tosaid one or more second flowlines, means interconnecting said guideassembly and carrier for pulling said carrier, connector means and oneor more second flowlines toward said guide assembly and alignment means,said guide assembly including a first single orienting member, saidcarrier including a second single orienting member engaged with saidfirst orienting member to align and engage a connector means with saidalignment means to position said connector means in substantialalignment with said end portions of said one or more first flowlines, ndmeans for operatively connecting said one or more first flowlines andone or more second flowlines to each other, whereby fluid can flowtherebetween; means releasably securing said carrier to said one or moresecond flowlines, and fluid operated means for releasing said carrierfrom said one or more second flowlines.

9. An apparatus wherein a guidance system is disposed at and extendsupwardly from the floor of a body of water and through which a well borehas been drilled into the underlaying formation, the combinationtherewith of flowline alignment means mounted on said guidance system,fluid flow apparatus including one or more first flowlines and guidedalong said system into communication with the well bore with endportions of said one or more first flowlines facing said alignmentmeans, a guide assembly adjacent to said alignment means, a carrier, oneor more second flowlines carried by said carrier and adapted to belowered therewith through the body of water, connector means secured tosaid one or more second flowlines, means interconnecting said guideassembly and carrier for pulling said car-- rier, connector means andone or more .second flowlines toward said guide assembly and alignmentmeans, said guide assembly including a first single orienting member,said carrier including a second single orienting member engaged withsaid first orienting member to align and engage a connector means withsaid alignment means to position said connector means in substantialalignment with said end portions of saidone or more first flowlines, andmeans for operatively,

connecting said one or more first flowlines and one or flowtherebetween; means releasably securing said guide assembly to saidflowline alignment means, means releasably securing said'carrier to saidone'or more second flowlines, and fluid operated means for releasingsaid carrier from said one or more second flowlines and said guideassembly from said flowline alignment means.

10. An apparatus wherein a guidance system is disposed at and extendsupwardly from the floor of-a body of water and through which a well borehas been drilled into the underlying formation, the combinationtherewith of flowline alignment means mounted on said guidance system,fluid flow apparatus including one or more first flowlines and guidedalong said system into communication with the well bore with endportions of said one or more first flowlines facing said alignmentmeans, a guide assembly adjacent to said alignment means, a carrier, oneor more second flowlines carried by said carrier and adapted to belowered therewith through the body of water, connector means secured tosaid one or more second flowlines, means interconnecting said guideassembly andvcarrier for pulling said carone or more first flowlines,and means for operatively connecting said one or more first flowlinesand one or more second flowlines to each other, whereby fluid can flowtherebetween; pin means on said carrier received within one'or moreholes in said connector means to secure said carrier to said connectormeans while permitting pivoting of said connector means with respect tosaid carrier, and means operable from a location remote from saidcarrier for withdrawing said pin means from said one or more holes todisconnect said carrier from said connector means.

11. An apparatus wherein a guidance system is disposed at and extendsupwardly from the floor of a body of water and through which a well borehas been drilled into the underlying formation, the combinationtherewith of flowline alignment means mounted on said guidance system,fluid flow apparatus including one or more first flowlines and guidedalong said system into communication with the well bore with endportions of said one or more first flowlines facing said alignmentmeans, a guide assembly adjacent to said alignment means, a carrier, oneor more second flowlines carried by said carrier and adapted to belowered therewith through the body of water, connector means secured tosaid one or more second flowlines, means interconnecting said guideassembly and carrier for pulling said carrier, connector means and oneor more second flowlines toward said guide assembly and alignment means,said guide assembly including a first single orienting member, saidcarrier including a second single orienting member engaged with saidfirst orienting member to align and engage a connector means with saidalignment means to position said connector means in substantialalignment with said end portions of said one or more first flowlines,and means for operatively connecting said one or more first flowlinesand one or more second flowlines to each other, whereby fluid can flowtherebetween; pin means on said carrier received withinone ormore holesin said connector means to secure said carrier to said connector meanswhile permitting pivoting of said connector means with respect to saidcarrier, means releasably securing said guide assembly to said flowlinealignment means, and means for substantially simultaneously releasingsaid securing means to disconnect said guide assembly from said flowlinealignment means and to withdraw said pin means from said one or moreholes to disconnect said carrier from said connector means.

12. An apparatus wherein a guidance structure is disposed at and extendsupwardly from the floor of a body of water and through which a well borehas been drilled into the underlying formation, the guidance structureincluding upwardly extending guide posts and guide lines extendingupwardly from the posts, the combination therewith of a flowline guidestructure movable along one or more selected guide lines and over one ormore guide posts connected thereto,

flowline alignment means secured to said flowline guide structure, fluidflow apparatus including one or more first flowlines and lowered downthe guide lines and over the guide posts into communication with thewell bore with end portions of said one or more flowlines facing saidalignment means, a guide assembly lowered along said one or moreselected guide lines and over said one ormore guide posts connectedthereto, a carrier, one or more second flowlines carried by said carrierand adapted to be lowered therewith through the body of water after suchflowline guide structure has been moved over said one or more guideposts, connector means secured to said one or more second flowlines, andmeans interconnecting said guide assembly and carrier for pulling saidcarrier, connector means and one or more second flowlines toward saidguide assembly and flowline guide structure, said guide assemblyincluding a first single orienting member, said carrier including asecond single orienting member engageable with said first orientingmember to align and engage said connector means with said alignmentmeans to position said connector means in substantial alignment withsaid end portions of said one or more first flowlines, and means foroperatively connecting said one or more lines and one or more secondflowlines to each other, whereby fluid can fiow therebetween.

13. An apparatus as defined in claim 12; said alignment means havingvertical and horizontal coupling grooves therein, said connector meanshaving vertical and horizontal keys yieldably mounted thereon andexpandable into said vertical and horizontal grooves, respectively, tosecure said connector means to said alignment means in substantialalignment with said end portions of said one or more first flowlines.

14. An apparatus as defined in claim 12; said first single orientingmember comprising a tubular member, said second single orienting membercomprising a probe movable into said tubular member, said tubular memberand probe having coengageable orienting means thereon for turning saidprobe in said tubular member as said probe moves longitudinally in saidtubular member to correspondingly turn said carrier and said connectormeans into alignment with said alignment means, said pulling meansincluding a cable connected to said probe and passing through saidtubular member.

15. An apparatus as defined in claim 12; said first single orientingmember comprising a tubular member having an orienting cam elementextending therein, said second single orienting member comprising aprobe having an axial cam engaging said cam element as said probe moveslongitudinally in said tubular member to correspondingly turn saidcarrier and said connector means into alignment with said alignmentmeans, said pulling means including a cable connected to said probe andpassing through said tubular member.

16. An apparatus as defined in claim 12; said first single orientingmember comprising a tubular member having an orienting cam elementextending therein, said second single orienting member comprising aprobe having an axial cam engaging said cam element as said probe moveslongitudinally in said tubular member to correspondingly turn saidcarrier and said connector means into alignment with said alignmentmeans, said pulling means including a cable connected to said probe andpassing through said tubular member, means releasably securing saidcarrier to said connector means, and means operable from a locationremote from said carrier for releasing said carrier from said connectormeans.

17. An apparatus as defined in claim 12; said first single orientingmember comprising a tubular member having an orienting cam elementextending therein, said second single orienting member comprising aprobe having an axial cam engaging said cam element as said probe moveslongitudinally in said tubular member to correspondingly turn saidcarrier and said connector means into alignment with said alignmentmeans, said pulling means including a cable connected to said probe andpassing through said tubular member, pin means on said carrier receivewithin one or more holes in said connector means to secure said carrierto said connector means while permitting pivoting of said connectormeans with respect to said carrier, and means operable from a locationremote from said carrier for withdrawing said pin means from said one ormore holes to disconnect the carrier from said connector means.

18. An apparatus as defined in claim 12; said first single orientingmember comprising a tubular member having an orienting cam elementextending therein, said second single orienting member comprising aprobe having an axial-cam engaging said cam element as said probe moveslongitudinally in said tubular member to correspondingly turn saidcarrier and said connector means into alignment with said alignmentmeans, said pulling means including a cable connected to said probe andpassing through said tubular member, pin means on said carrier receivewithin one or more holes in said connector means to secure said carrierto said connector means while permitting pivoting of said connectormeans with respect to said carrier, means releasably securing said guideassembly to said flowline alignment mans, and means for substantiallysimultaneously releasing said securing means to disconnect said guideassembly from said flowline alignment means and to withdraw said pinmeans from said one or more holes to disconnect said carrier from saidconnector means.

19. An apparatus as defined in claim 12; said first single orientingmember comprising a tubular member having an orienting cam elementextending therein, said second single orienting member comprising aprobe having an axial cam engaging said cam element as said probe moveslongitudinally in said tubular member to correspondingly turn saidcarrier and said connector means into alignment with said alignmentmeans, said pulling means including a cable connected to said probe andpassing through said tubular member,

pin means on said carrier receive within one or moreholes in saidconnector means to secure said carrier to said connector means whilepermitting pivoting of said connector means with respect to saidcarrier, means releasably securing said guide assembly to said flowlinealignment means, and means for substantially simultaneously releasingsaid securing means to disconnect said guide assembly from said flowlinealignment means and to withdraw said pin means from said one or moreholes to disconnect said carrier from said connector means, saidalignment means having vertical and horizontal coupling grooves therein,said connector means having vertical and horizontal keys yieldablymounted thereon and expandable into said vertical and horizontalgrooves, respectively, to secure said connector means to said alignmentmeans in substantial alignment with said end portions of said one ormore first flowlines,

1. An apparatus wherein a guidance system is disposed at and extendsupwardly from the floor of a body of water and through which a well borehas been drilled into the underlying formation, the combinationtherewith of flowline alignment means mounted on said guidance system,fluid flow apparatus including one or more first flowlines and guidedalong said system into communication with the well bore with endportions of said one or more first flowlines facing said alignmentmeans, a guide assembly adjacent to and to one side of said alignmentmeans, a carrier, one or more second flowlines carried by said carrierand adapted to be lowered therewith through the body of water, connectormeans secured to said one or more second flowlines, meansinterconnecting said guide assembly and carrier for pulling saIdcarrier, connector means and one or more second flowlines toward saidguide assembly and alignment means, said guide assembly including afirst single orienting member, said carrier including a second singleorienting member engaged with said first orienting member to align andengage a connector means with said alignment means to position saidconnector means in substantial alignment with said end portions of saidone or more first flowlines, and means for operatively connecting saidone or more first flowlines and one or more second flowlines to eachother, whereby fluid can flow therebetween.
 1. An apparatus wherein aguidance system is disposed at and extends upwardly from the floor of abody of water and through which a well bore has been drilled into theunderlying formation, the combination therewith of flowline alignmentmeans mounted on said guidance system, fluid flow apparatus includingone or more first flowlines and guided along said system intocommunication with the well bore with end portions of said one or morefirst flowlines facing said alignment means, a guide assembly adjacentto and to one side of said alignment means, a carrier, one or moresecond flowlines carried by said carrier and adapted to be loweredtherewith through the body of water, connector means secured to said oneor more second flowlines, means interconnecting said guide assembly andcarrier for pulling saId carrier, connector means and one or more secondflowlines toward said guide assembly and alignment means, said guideassembly including a first single orienting member, said carrierincluding a second single orienting member engaged with said firstorienting member to align and engage a connector means with saidalignment means to position said connector means in substantialalignment with said end portions of said one or more first flowlines,and means for operatively connecting said one or more first flowlinesand one or more second flowlines to each other, whereby fluid can flowtherebetween.
 2. An apparatus as defined in claim 1; said first singleorienting member comprising a tubular member, said second singleorienting member comprising a probe movable into said tubular member,said tubular member and probe having coengageable orienting meansthereon for turning said probe in said tubular member as said probemoves longitudinally in said tubular member to correspondingly turn saidcarrier and said connector means into alignment with said alignmentmeans, said pulling means including a cable connected to said probe andpassing through said tubular member.
 3. An apparatus as defined in claim1; means releasably securing said carrier to said one or more secondflowlines, and means operable from a location remote from said carrierfor releasing said carrier from said one or more second flowlines.
 4. Anapparatus as defined in claim 1; means releasably securing said guideassembly to said flowline alignment means, means releasably securingsaid carrier to said one or more second flowlines, and means operablefrom a location remote from said carrier for releasing said carrier fromsaid one or more second flowlines and said guide assembly from saidflowline alignment means.
 5. An apparatus as defined in claim 1; meansreleasably securing said carrier to said connector means, and meansoperable from a location remote from said carrier for releasing saidcarrier from said connector means.
 6. An apparatus wherein a guidancesystem is disposed at and extends upwardly from the floor of a body ofwater and through which a well bore has been drilled into the underlyingformation, the combination therewith of flowline alignment means mountedon said guidance system, fluid flow apparatus including one or morefirst flowlines and guided along said system into communication with thewell bore with end portions of said one or more first flowlines facingsaid alignment means, a guide assembly adjacent to said alignment means,a carrier, one or more second flowlines carried by said carrier andadapted to be lowered therewith through the body of water, connectormeans secured to said one or more second flowlines, meansinterconnecting said guide assembly and carrier for pulling saidcarrier, connector means and one or more second flowlines toward saidguide assembly and alignment means, said guide assembly including afirst single orienting member, said carrier including a second singleorienting member engaged with said first orienting member to align andengage a connector means with said alignment means to position saidconnector means in substantial alignment with said end portions of saidone or more first flowlines, and means for operatively connecting saidone or more first flowlines and one or more second flowlines to eachother, whereby fluid can flow therebetween; said alignment means havingvertical and horizontal coupling grooves therein, said connector meanshaving vertical and horizontal keys yieldably mounted thereon andexpandable into said vertical and horizontal grooves, respectively, tosecure said connector means to said alignment means in substantialalignment with said end portions of said one or more first flowlines. 7.An apparatus wherein a guidance system is disposed at and extendsupwardly from the floor of a body of water and through which a well borehas been drilled into the underlying formation, the combinationtherewith of fLowline alignment means mounted on said guidance system,fluid flow apparatus including one or more first flowlines and guidedalong said system into communication with the well bore with endportions of said one or more first flowlines facing said alignmentmeans, a guide assembly adjacent to said alignment means, a carrier, oneor more second flowlines carried by said carrier and adapted to belowered therewith through the body of water, connector means secured tosaid one or more second flowlines, means interconnecting said guideassembly and carrier for pulling said carrier, connector means and oneor more second flowlines toward said guide assembly and alignment means,said guide assembly including a first single orienting member, saidcarrier including a second single orienting member engaged with saidfirst orienting member to align and engage a connector means with saidalignment means to position said connector means in substantialalignment with said end portions of said one or more first flowlines,and means for operatively connecting said one or more first flowlinesand one or more second flowlines to each other, whereby fluid can flowtherebetween; said first single orienting member comprising a tubularmember having an orienting cam element extending therein, said secondsingle orienting member comprising a probe having an axial cam engagingsaid cam element as said probe moves longitudinally in said tubularmember to correspondingly turn said carrier and said connector meansinto alignment with said alignment means, said pulling means including acable connected to said probe and passing through said tubular member.8. An apparatus wherein a guidance system is disposed at and extendsupwardly from the floor of a body of water and thorough which a wellbore has been drilled into the underlying formation, the combinationtherewith of flowline alignment means mounted on said guidance system,fluid flow apparatus including one or more first flowlines and guidedalong said system into communication with the well bore with endportions of said one or more first flowlines facing said alignmentmeans, a guide assembly adjacent to said alignment means, a carrier, oneor more second flowlines carried by said carrier and adapted to belowered therewith through the body of water, connector means secured tosaid one or more second flowlines, means interconnecting said guideassembly and carrier for pulling said carrier, connector means and oneor more second flowlines toward said guide assembly and alignment means,said guide assembly including a first single orienting member, saidcarrier including a second single orienting member engaged with saidfirst orienting member to align and engage a connector means with saidalignment means to position said connector means in substantialalignment with said end portions of said one or more first flowlines, ndmeans for operatively connecting said one or more first flowlines andone or more second flowlines to each other, whereby fluid can flowtherebetween; means releasably securing said carrier to said one or moresecond flowlines, and fluid operated means for releasing said carrierfrom said one or more second flowlines.
 9. An apparatus wherein aguidance system is disposed at and extends upwardly from the floor of abody of water and through which a well bore has been drilled into theunderlaying formation, the combination therewith of flowline alignmentmeans mounted on said guidance system, fluid flow apparatus includingone or more first flowlines and guided along said system intocommunication with the well bore with end portions of said one or morefirst flowlines facing said alignment means, a guide assembly adjacentto said alignment means, a carrier, one or more second flowlines carriedby said carrier and adapted to be lowered therewith through the body ofwater, connector means secured to said one or more second flowlines,means interconnecting said guide assembly and carrier for pulling saidcarrier, connector meanS and one or more second flowlines toward saidguide assembly and alignment means, said guide assembly including afirst single orienting member, said carrier including a second singleorienting member engaged with said first orienting member to align andengage a connector means with said alignment means to position saidconnector means in substantial alignment with said end portions of saidone or more first flowlines, and means for operatively connecting saidone or more first flowlines and one or more second flowlines to eachother, whereby fluid can flow therebetween; means releasably securingsaid guide assembly to said flowline alignment means, means releasablysecuring said carrier to said one or more second flowlines, and fluidoperated means for releasing said carrier from said one or more secondflowlines and said guide assembly from said flowline alignment means.10. An apparatus wherein a guidance system is disposed at and extendsupwardly from the floor of a body of water and through which a well borehas been drilled into the underlying formation, the combinationtherewith of flowline alignment means mounted on said guidance system,fluid flow apparatus including one or more first flowlines and guidedalong said system into communication with the well bore with endportions of said one or more first flowlines facing said alignmentmeans, a guide assembly adjacent to said alignment means, a carrier, oneor more second flowlines carried by said carrier and adapted to belowered therewith through the body of water, connector means secured tosaid one or more second flowlines, means interconnecting said guideassembly and carrier for pulling said carrier, connector means and oneor more second flowlines toward said guide assembly and alignment means,said guide assembly including a first single orienting member, saidcarrier including a second single orienting member engaged with saidfirst orienting member to align and engage a connector means with saidalignment means to position said connector means in substantialalignment with said end portions of said one or more first flowlines,and means for operatively connecting said one or more first flowlinesand one or more second flowlines to each other, whereby fluid can flowtherebetween; pin means on said carrier received within one or moreholes in said connector means to secure said carrier to said connectormeans while permitting pivoting of said connector means with respect tosaid carrier, and means operable from a location remote from saidcarrier for withdrawing said pin means from said one or more holes todisconnect said carrier from said connector means.
 11. An apparatuswherein a guidance system is disposed at and extends upwardly from thefloor of a body of water and through which a well bore has been drilledinto the underlying formation, the combination therewith of flowlinealignment means mounted on said guidance system, fluid flow apparatusincluding one or more first flowlines and guided along said system intocommunication with the well bore with end portions of said one or morefirst flowlines facing said alignment means, a guide assembly adjacentto said alignment means, a carrier, one or more second flowlines carriedby said carrier and adapted to be lowered therewith through the body ofwater, connector means secured to said one or more second flowlines,means interconnecting said guide assembly and carrier for pulling saidcarrier, connector means and one or more second flowlines toward saidguide assembly and alignment means, said guide assembly including afirst single orienting member, said carrier including a second singleorienting member engaged with said first orienting member to align andengage a connector means with said alignment means to position saidconnector means in substantial alignment with said end portions of saidone or more first flowlines, and means for operatively connecting saidone or more first flowlines and one or more second flowlines to eachother, whereby fluid can flow therebetween; pin means on said carrierreceived within one or more holes in said connector means to secure saidcarrier to said connector means while permitting pivoting of saidconnector means with respect to said carrier, means releasably securingsaid guide assembly to said flowline alignment means, and means forsubstantially simultaneously releasing said securing means to disconnectsaid guide assembly from said flowline alignment means and to withdrawsaid pin means from said one or more holes to disconnect said carrierfrom said connector means.
 12. An apparatus wherein a guidance structureis disposed at and extends upwardly from the floor of a body of waterand through which a well bore has been drilled into the underlyingformation, the guidance structure including upwardly extending guideposts and guide lines extending upwardly from the posts, the combinationtherewith of a flowline guide structure movable along one or moreselected guide lines and over one or more guide posts connected thereto,flowline alignment means secured to said flowline guide structure, fluidflow apparatus including one or more first flowlines and lowered downthe guide lines and over the guide posts into communication with thewell bore with end portions of said one or more flowlines facing saidalignment means, a guide assembly lowered along said one or moreselected guide lines and over said one or more guide posts connectedthereto, a carrier, one or more second flowlines carried by said carrierand adapted to be lowered therewith through the body of water after suchflowline guide structure has been moved over said one or more guideposts, connector means secured to said one or more second flowlines, andmeans interconnecting said guide assembly and carrier for pulling saidcarrier, connector means and one or more second flowlines toward saidguide assembly and flowline guide structure, said guide assemblyincluding a first single orienting member, said carrier including asecond single orienting member engageable with said first orientingmember to align and engage said connector means with said alignmentmeans to position said connector means in substantial alignment withsaid end portions of said one or more first flowlines, and means foroperatively connecting said one or more lines and one or more secondflowlines to each other, whereby fluid can flow therebetween.
 13. Anapparatus as defined in claim 12; said alignment means having verticaland horizontal coupling grooves therein, said connector means havingvertical and horizontal keys yieldably mounted thereon and expandableinto said vertical and horizontal grooves, respectively, to secure saidconnector means to said alignment means in substantial alignment withsaid end portions of said one or more first flowlines.
 14. An apparatusas defined in claim 12; said first single orienting member comprising atubular member, said second single orienting member comprising a probemovable into said tubular member, said tubular member and probe havingcoengageable orienting means thereon for turning said probe in saidtubular member as said probe moves longitudinally in said tubular memberto correspondingly turn said carrier and said connector means intoalignment with said alignment means, said pulling means including acable connected to said probe and passing through said tubular member.15. An apparatus as defined in claim 12; said first single orientingmember comprising a tubular member having an orienting cam elementextending therein, said second single orienting member comprising aprobe having an axial cam engaging said cam element as said probe moveslongitudinally in said tubular member to correspondingly turn saidcarrier and said connector means into alignment with said alignmentmeans, said pulling means including a cable connected to said probe andpassing through said tubular member.
 16. An apparatus as defined inclaim 12; said first single orienting member comprising a tubular memberhaVing an orienting cam element extending therein, said second singleorienting member comprising a probe having an axial cam engaging saidcam element as said probe moves longitudinally in said tubular member tocorrespondingly turn said carrier and said connector means intoalignment with said alignment means, said pulling means including acable connected to said probe and passing through said tubular member,means releasably securing said carrier to said connector means, andmeans operable from a location remote from said carrier for releasingsaid carrier from said connector means.
 17. An apparatus as defined inclaim 12; said first single orienting member comprising a tubular memberhaving an orienting cam element extending therein, said second singleorienting member comprising a probe having an axial cam engaging saidcam element as said probe moves longitudinally in said tubular member tocorrespondingly turn said carrier and said connector means intoalignment with said alignment means, said pulling means including acable connected to said probe and passing through said tubular member,pin means on said carrier receive within one or more holes in saidconnector means to secure said carrier to said connector means whilepermitting pivoting of said connector means with respect to saidcarrier, and means operable from a location remote from said carrier forwithdrawing said pin means from said one or more holes to disconnect thecarrier from said connector means.
 18. An apparatus as defined in claim12; said first single orienting member comprising a tubular memberhaving an orienting cam element extending therein, said second singleorienting member comprising a probe having an axial cam engaging saidcam element as said probe moves longitudinally in said tubular member tocorrespondingly turn said carrier and said connector means intoalignment with said alignment means, said pulling means including acable connected to said probe and passing through said tubular member,pin means on said carrier receive within one or more holes in saidconnector means to secure said carrier to said connector means whilepermitting pivoting of said connector means with respect to saidcarrier, means releasably securing said guide assembly to said flowlinealignment mans, and means for substantially simultaneously releasingsaid securing means to disconnect said guide assembly from said flowlinealignment means and to withdraw said pin means from said one or moreholes to disconnect said carrier from said connector means.